ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Illinois softball team earned Braggin' Rights with a 2-1 win over No. 23 Missouri on Wednesday (March 11) evening at the Lou Brock Sports Complex on the campus of Lindenwood University.
"Addy Jarvis battled through a tough Mizzou lineup," said head coach Tyra Perry. "She showed a ton of mental toughness and gave us a chance. We have been talking a lot to our offense about ramping up our presence on the bases. Danielle Davis and pinch runner Zaria Dunlap used their speed to advance and score which was enough to secure the win."
Sophomore Addy Jarvis (6-6) earned the win in the circle after allowing seven hits and five walks and striking out five in 6.1 innings of work. Classmate Sydney Sickels entered in the top of the seventh with runners at the corners and notched back-to-back strikeouts to tie her own single season program record with her fifth save of the season.
The Illini totaled five hits in the win, with freshman Miranda Gallardo leading the way with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate.
The Tigers (19-7) struck first in the third inning on an RBI double down the right field line for the early 1-0 advantage and would hold that lead until the fifth frame. After a leadoff double to left centerfield, sophomore Danielle Davis would advance to third on a wild pitch, before coming home on a Mizzou throwing error to tie things up at 1-1.
Heading into the bottom of the sixth, sophomore Kailee Powell started things off with a single up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from classmate Avrey Steiner. Gallardo then knocked an infield single, before sophomore pinch runner Zaria Dunlap took advantage of a second Tiger error to score the eventual game-winning run.
Next Up
The Illini will next open their 2020 home schedule this weekend with the Fighting Illini Tournament on Saturday and Sunday (March 14-15) at Eichelberger Field.
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